CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
Parking Meter Donation
Stations
Evaluation of the utilization of parking
meters as a means to donate funds on behalf
of social service entities
City of San Luis Obispo White Paper
Keith Storton, Police Lieutenant
Robert Horch, Parking Services Manager
12/19/2012
Parking Meter Donation Stations
December 19, 2012
CURRENT SITUATION:
The City of San Luis Obispo has recognized an increase of homelessness in our community over
the years. Social service providers in SLO have indicated 50- 60% of their clients come from
outside San Luis Obispo County. Existence of a genuine compassion for those in need and
willingness to provide meaningful services and money to a segment of this population has been a
variable making San Luis Obispo an attractive destination location for homeless individuals.
Although several public and private assistance programs are available to those who seek
assistance, a segment of this population utilizes solicitation or “panhandling” as a means to
produce an income. This population frequently loiters in more populated areas such as shopping
centers and the downtown core to solicit funds from passing pedestrians and motorists. Social
service providers believe the majority of panhandlers are considered “program resistant”,
meaning they are not willing to commit to positive life choices needed to transition out of
homelessness. Many in this subset have severe substance dependencies and cash handouts many
times support addictions, and consequently have adverse impacts on a community by creating an
enabling environment, drawing more program resistant individuals from other areas.
Solicitation can take many forms to include passive verbal requests, the placement of signs
requesting money or a more aggressive approach where the panhandler uses intimidating or
threatening tactics to obtain money. Some of these panhandlers interfere with traffic, block
sidewalks/benches and disrupt the operations of businesses. There are several laws that control
the act of panhandling as to specific locations or when conducted in an aggressive manner,
however, generally it is a legal act that has limited enforcement options available to the police
department.
POLICE CALLS FOR SERVICE AND CONTACTS:
Since March of 2012, the police department has attempted to capture the number of calls for
service that are generated pertaining to the act of solicitation or panhandling. During the time
period covering March 1, 2012 through November 30, 2012 the police department has responded
to approximately 169 complaint calls for panhandling and 103 complaint calls for loitering.
Other calls for service may have involved the act of solicitation or panhandling, however, they
were not coded as such due to another crime or activity taking place. These are primarily citizen
complaint driven calls for service and the problem is much more wide spread than what is
reported and captured statistically.
Through numerous contacts and experience the police department has recognized that many of
the individuals found panhandling have also been contacted for drug and/or alcohol related
crimes or other illegal activities. A successful panhandler can quickly make enough money to
purchase more alcohol or drugs as a means to feed their addiction. The act of panhandling alone
or coupled with the consumption of alcohol and/or drugs can further the adverse behavior that
can disrupt a business, or interfere with citizens and visitors to our city. This disruption can
initiate a call for service to the police department resulting in further contacts to include
aggressive panhandling, public drunkenness and drug influence.
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Parking Meter Donation Stations
December 19, 2012
An unknowing or uninformed public rightfully feels a sense of duty and obligation to help those
in need. The act of providing money to a panhandler who appears helpless or “down on their
luck” creates a false sense of satisfaction that the money donated will be used by the panhandler
to find a meal or better their situation. Frequently, the money is quickly spent to support a drug
or alcohol habit.
Many people who choose to donate directly to a panhandler may be unaware they are already
receiving benefits from providers in the form of food, money, shelter and other services.
Some panhandlers, recognizing the profit opportunity of soliciting will prey off the sensitivities
and kindness of a donor even though they have no social service needs.
PARKING METER DONATION STATIONS:
A number of communities have examined the possibility of using parking meters as “donation
stations” for citizens that feel compelled to give money to help others in need. Money collected
at these donation stations can be earmarked for specific entities or causes depending on how the
program is developed. It’s recognized that the value of a dollar can go much further in the hands
of a social services outlet as opposed to directly giving that dollar to a panhandler where there is
no accountability to its benefit. This outlet allows a conscientious donor an immediate alternative
to provide assistance to a responsible entity that can facilitate adequate services for those with
legitimate needs and subsequently reduce the odds that a program resistant panhandler will be
able to perpetuate their condition and/or addiction, strain local resources and detract from the
quality of life in San Luis Obispo.
CITY OF DENVER - EXAMPLE
Several agencies in the Denver Area have teamed together to initiate and oversee a meter
donation station program in their city. These entities included Denver Public Works, Denver’s
Road Home (the entity that oversees Denver’s 10 year plan to end homelessness), Denver
Leadership (our Leadership SLO equivalent), Mile High United Way and other social service
and business entities.
The effort is twofold, to increase awareness about homelessness and make an effort to redirect
money that the general population is giving to panhandlers. Like many other cities across the
nation, Denver is dealing with an increase of panhandlers and the adverse environment that is
associated with that behavior. According to the Denver’s Road Home website many panhandlers
in their community are not homeless and 1/3 of their homeless population has jobs. To educate
the public and raise money the Denver community has installed 86 donation meters and expects
to generate an excess of $100,000 annually in sponsorships and donations. The funds frequently
provided as a hand outs on the street can now be used to provide meals, job training, substance
abuse counseling, housing and other programs for those in need.
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CITY OF SAN DIEGO - EXAMPLE:
Parking Manager Robert Horch conducted research regarding parking meter donation stations
that were installed in the City of San Diego in 2011 and 2012. To date nine of an anticipated
twenty five meters have been installed. The City of San Diego has supported and promoted the
program, however, the installation, service and collection of the funds are done privately through
a non-profit organization known as the Downtown San Diego Partnership. The meters are
installed on private property and have a different look as to not be confused with real parking
meters in the public right of way.
At this time the nine meters generate approximately $50.00 a month in income, although
program facilitators are currently working to improve their marketing campaign. But, in addition
to the tangible donations a desired result is to educate the public and change perceptions about
panhandling and the adverse behavior associated with it. The campaign wants thoughtful donors
to understand helping the homeless population through a social service provider generates more
buying power and service than a direct handout. The public education process has been
successful and has highlighted the issue even spurring an increase of direct donations to the
sponsoring program.
The donation station meters in San Diego are similar to the exiting IPS (the meter manufacturer)
meters in the City of San Luis Obispo. They are capable of accepting coins or credit cards. There
is a great deal of community effort in making the program successful. The Downtown San Diego
Partnerships’ Clean and Safe division manages the program and provides maintenance and
collections. Another company completed installations at a reduced cost (approximately $150.00
per meter). Some businesses welcomed the installation and placed meters on their own property
and absorbed some of the costs. IPS donated the 25 meters and waived their monthly fee which
earned them the Vic Kops Humanitarian Award in October of 2012. 1st Data, the company that
provides merchant credit services, waived their monthly minimum fee and offered lowered
merchant fees.
OTHER EXAMPLES:
Currently the City of Macon, GA and City of Athens, AL are considering similar projects. These
entities too are looking to non-profit groups that can manage a meter donation program. The
locations have like meters and anticipate working with IPS and 1st Data to provide reduced costs
or services to help their programs succeed.
As recently as December 10, 2012 an article in the Los Angeles Downtown News revealed that
the City Council will be looking into converting old parking meters (they are replacing with
electronic meters) into donation stations for the homeless. Under the proposal “the devices would
be relabeled to indicate they are for collecting donations that the city would then distribute to
homeless service providers. In theory, it could reduce panhandling because fewer pedestrians
might give change if they can instead donate to a blanket of services.”
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The City of Laguna Beach, while developing its program, had local artists paint the outside of
the meters to bring more attention to them. The City of San Luis Obispo has had a long standing
appreciation for public art projects. A decorative meter concept can encourage community
involvement and awareness to the meter, but to the program as a whole.
An internet search revealed there are several cities utilizing donation parking meters (or
researching the idea) as a means to collect money for homeless services. These cities include
Atlanta, Baltimore, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Little Rock, San Francisco and Seattle.
PUBLIC EDUCATION/ADVERTISING COMPONENT:
The success of a directed giving campaign through meter donation stations would be dependent
upon a strong marketing plan. This plan would include an education component about the
adverse results of providing money to panhandlers and the benefits of giving on behalf of a
social service agency.
Providing business owners, their employees and public service personnel with the knowledge to
pass this information on to those who may ask creates an environment that is unified in effort
and consistent in the messaging process. Providing literature and flyers in key locations to
inform the giving public featuring QR code access and internet links to appropriate websites
where a citizen can become further aware, informed and involved would build in an additional
layer of success and credibility to the project.
RECOMMENDATION:
A unified directed giving campaign allows a concerned public the ability to give in a manner
where those funds can be managed responsibly and productively. This shared message by the
public, the city, business owners and the social service agencies that provide services can
discourage panhandling and the adverse behaviors associated with that activity. Moreover, such a
campaign helps demonstrate that SLO is a compassionate community, yet one that is committed
to not perpetuating an enabling culture that is counter to the welfare interests for the individual
and community as a whole.
There appear to be numerous meter donation station examples in which the City of San Luis
Obispo can model. The concept is worthy of additional research and consideration for
implementation. Further discussion needs to take place to identify the proper entities to establish
direction, oversight and continuing maintenance should a program be developed. Many meter
donation programs are operated through a private entity with supportive roles provided by the
city in which the program is located. The facilitating organization could conceptually decide how
to disburse donated funds to social service outlets and homeless related causes, providing another
opportunity to more effectively address the issue of homelessness and reinforce the benefit of
giving to the appropriate agency rather than individual panhandler.
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Parking Meter Donation Stations
December 19, 2012
Donation Meter in Denver, Colorado
Donation Meter in San Antonio, Texas
Donation Meter in San Diego, Ca
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Parking Meter Donation Stations
December 19, 2012
Donation Meter in Iowa City, Iowa
Donation Meter in Nashville, TN
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